Electric-elevator apparatus



(No Model.) 4 Sham -Sheet I.

F. B. PERKINS.

ELECTRIC ELEVATOR APPARATUS;

N0. 541,497. Patented June '25, 1895.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2. F. B. PERKINS.

. ELBCTRIG ELEVATOR APPARATUS. No. 541,497. Patented June 25-, 1895.

X wwwawao (No Model.) ,4 Sheets-Sheet 3. P. B. PERKINS. ELECTRICELEVATOR APPARATUS.

Patented June 25, 1895.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

. P.'B. PERKINS. ELECTRIC ELEVATOR APPARATUS.

No. 541,497. Patented June 25, 1895.

aftoznm o UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS B. PERKINS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONALCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRIC-ELEVATOR APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 541,497, dat d June 25,1895.

Application filed December 15, 1892.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANoIs B. PERKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric-ElevatorApparatus, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to safety devices for electric elevators, and ithas for its object to provide means whereby electric elevators may bemore safely and certainly operated, and especially to provide meanswhereby the elevators may be automatically stopped whenever throughderangement of the apparatus or circuit or for other reason itisnecessaryor desirable to stop the mechanism in order to preventaccidents, or injury to the parts or otherwise.

To these ends my invention consists in the various features ofconstruction and arrangement of parts, having the mode of operationsubstantially as hereinafter more particularly pointed out.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of anelectric-elevator mechanism having my invention applied thereto. Fig. 2is a side view partly in section, some parts being omitted, for the sakeof clearness. Fig. 3 is an end View. Fig. 4. is an enlarged side view ofpart of the mechanism relating more especially to the brake device, andFigs. 5 and 6 are respectively diagrammatic arrangements showing themethod of wiring or connecting the electric circuits. \Vhile manyfeatures of myinvention may be applied to electric elevators ofdifferent constructions and arrangements, in order that the principlesof my invention may be un-' derstood, l have shown them applied to oneparticular and well known form of apparatus using the same as a means ofillustrating my invention without intending to limit it in any way, asit is evident to those skilled in the art that the principles of theinvention may be embodied in many and various forms and arrangements ofdevices without departing fromthespiritthereof, depending very largelyupon the particular work to be done and the apparatus to be operated andcontrolled.

teferring to the mechanical part of the ele- Serial No. 455,278. (Nomodel.)

rating apparatus which may be briefly referred to, it is sufficient tosay that upon a suitable base A, is mounted an electric motor A, whichmay be of any suitable and desired construction, and the armature shaftA thereof is connected preferably by an insulating coupling A with ashaft A*, which in the present instance is provided with two worms A A,gearing respectively with two worm wheels A A which in turn geartogether and are mounted upon the shafts A A suitably supported on theframing A. It will be seen that the worm shaft is practically aprolongation of the armature shaft of the motor, and that the whole issupported upon a single base plate in suitable bearings, the worm wheelsbeing preferably covered with a case A, to prevent accidents, andprotect, the worm gearing. Suitably mounted on the shaft A are thewinding drums B, B, around which are wound and unwound the ropes of theelevator and counter-weight therefor, or other arrangements of ropesaccording to the particular class or style of elevator employed.

Connected with the elevating mechanism is some suitable brake apparatus,and I have shown it in the present instance as comprising a wheel C,mounted on the shaft A and having a strap C, connected at its center orformed in two portions which are adjustably connected to a standard C onone side of the wheel, while the other ends of the brake strap areconnected to a rocking bearing or lever C to which is attached anadjustable weight C, so arranged to normally put the brake on, therocking hearing or lever C being mounted on a stud or shaft C and tothis rocking bearing is attached an arm C, by means of which theweighted arm may be raised and the strap loosened to relieve the brake,and this I accomplish automatically by electrical means in a mannerhereinafter more particularly pointed out. Also mounted in suitablebearings in the frame is a shaft D, operating as the shipper shaft forstarting, stopping and reversing the motor, and this is provided with ashipping wheel D, around which passes the ordinary hand rope D of theelevator or other elevator operating device, and connected to this shaftis a device D for operating the brake and reversing switch S,

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and also the device D, for controlling the rheostat R,in the circuit ofthe motor. Further this shaft is provided with means to control itsoperation to prevent the elevator boy from cutting out the resistance ofthe rheostat too quickly in starting the motor, and this in the presentinstance consists of a dash pot arrangement D ,-the details of whichneed not be specifically set forth, as they form no part of my presentinvention, it being sufficient to say that the device is so arrangedthat when the shaft D, is operated to close the. circuit,

the motion of the rheostat is controlled and regulated so that theresistance shall not be cut out too quickly, regardless of the motion ofthe shaft, while when the shaft is operated 'motor and apply the brake,thereby stopping the mechanism and while various safety devices may beused, I have shown herein, among others, an appliance to stop the motorwhen for instance either of the ropes on the drums becomes slack. Inorder to accomplish thisI attach to the shaft D, a pinion E, which isfixed thereon, and mounted on a suitable stud E, is a loose pinion Ehaving one portion E of a clutch on one of its sides, and also mountedloosely on the stud E, is another pinion E forming the other portion Eof the clutch. To this pinion is connected a collar E, into which takesan arm E (Fig. 4) which in turn is operated by the short arm E of thelever E, which is pivoted to the frame of the ma chine at E and extendsunderneath the drum B, preferably having cross arms E extending underthe drums, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. 1, there being two levers E",one for each drum connected to the same shaft E Mounted on an extensionof the shaft A, is a fixed pinion E gearing with the pinion E, and fromthis construction it will be seen that if for instance the rope on oneof the drums becomes slack, and depresses one of the levers E the pinionE will be moved through the arm E and collarE, to bring the clutchportions E, E in engagement, and this will cause the pinion E to rotateand through the medium of pinion E move the shaft D, in the properdirection to cutout the circuit and automatically stop the motor.

In order to automatically cut out the circuit and stop the motor whenthe car has reached the limit of its upward or downward motion, I formthe extension of the shaft A, as a screw shaft, and mount thereon aloose pinion F, which has a screw'threaded bearing, so that it willtravel back and forth on the screw shaft, and each side of this pinionis provided with a projection or lug F, or F while the pinion E, is alsoprovided with a similar lug F and an adjustable stop piece F is providedwith another lug F lhisstop piece can be adjusted on the screw shaft andsecured by means of a key or other device fitting the slotf. It will beseen that with this construction when the motor is operating to move theelevator up or down as the case may be, the pinion F, travels on thescrew-threaded portion of the shaft, the teeth of the pinion engagingwith the wide pinion E, but not rotating the same. \Vhen, however, theelevator reaches its extreme uppermost or lowermost position, one or theother of the lugs F, F engages with a corresponding lug F or F and thepinion F, is caused to rotate in one or the other directions, and thisrotates the pinion E which meshes with the pinion E, on the shaft D, andmoves said shaft to cut out the electric circuit and automatically stopthe elevator. It will be seen that this device can be accuratelyadjusted, so that the elevator can travel to a greater or less distanceupward or downward, but that when it reaches its extreme position, itwill he immediately stopped automatically by cutting out the electriccircuit.

So far I have' described more particularly the mechanical parts of thedevice shown, and I will now describe the electric appliances which areoperated by the automatic safety devices, and which control theoperation of the motor and brake device.

The break switch S, may be of any ordinary construction, but is shown ina convenient form displayed at S, in which it will be seen that. itcomprises the posts N, P, on one side to which are connected the switcharms S S they being connected by an insulating plate Sf, which isoperated by an eccentric or cam D on the shaft D, so as to move thecontact arms to the contacts S S S the contacts S ahd S being connectedas is usual in forming a reversing switch, while when the shaft is inits normal position, the arms are held between and away from all of thecontacts and moved up or down as the case may be to cause the motor tooperate in one or the other direction. Other circuit breaking andreversing devices may be used in place of this shown accomplishingsubstantially the same results. 7

The rheostat R, may be of any suitable construction, but I have shown itin the well known form of a semi-circle, the switch arm R, carrying thecontact brush vR being mounted on a shaft or bearing R andoperated fromthe shaft 1), by suitable intervening mechanism, there being shown acurved rack R taking in a pinion B on the shaft of tho arm'R, this rackbeing pivoted to a projecting arm R keyed on the end of the shaft D, andso arranged that in whatever direction the shaft D is turned, the arm R,will be caused to sweep over the surface of the rheostat from one-end tothe other, its action in the present instance being controlled andregulated in one direction by the dash pot D as before intimated. Itwill thus be seen that whenever the shaft D is turned to close thecircuit of the switch S, the rheostat is brought into the circuit, andthe resistance gradually out out of the circuit, and whenever the switchS is opened, the arm R of the rheostat is brought to the position shownin Fig. 2. This rheostat is connectedin the circuit in the mannerindicated, and more clearly pointed out hereinafter in connection withthe description of the diagrams.

As before stated, the brake device which is shown as comprising the bandC, encircling the wheel C, is normally under the stress of the weightedlever C, so that the brake is set and the mechanism held stationary. Inorder that the brake may be released to allow the mechanism to operateat the proper time, I provide electro magnetic devices connected in thecircuit of the motor, which when the circuit is in proper order willoperate to release the brake device, and which when for any reason thecircuit is not in order will allow the weighted lever to automaticallyapply the brake and stop the mechanism and hold it stationary.

\Vhile many and various ways of applying the electro magnetic devicesmay be adapted to accomplish this result, I have shown in thepresentinstance a'magnet G, which is secured to the frame of themachine, and which has an armature G, in this instance provided withcores G entering the solenoids of the magnets G, and this armature isconnected, as by a link G to the arm on the shaft 0 carrying the rockinghearing or lever C to which the brake strap is connected. \Vith thisarrangement it will be seen that when the coils of the electro magnet G,are properly energized, the armature will be attracted and the shaft 0oscillated to lift the weighted lever and release the brake, and theelectric motor can operate to propel the elevating device, but when forany cause the current passing through the magnet G, is weakened orinterrupted, the brake will be automatically applied to instantly stopthe elevating mechanism.

In order to better understand the arrangement of the wiring or circuitsof the machine and the operation of the electrical devices, I have shownin Figs. 5 and 6, a diagrammatic arrangement in which 1 and 2 are themain leading wires of any suitable distributing system or source ofsupply from which the branch wires 3, 4:, are taken to supply energy tothe elevating mechanism. interposed in these branch wires are the usualsafety fuses 5, and there is preferably a double terminal cut-out ork-nife switch 6, controlling both branches of the circuit, and there ispreferably arranged a motor board 7, also having a knife switch 8,controlling the circuit of the motor and other appliances usual in suchcases.

Referring to Fig. 5, it is assumed that the switches 6 and 8 are closed,and that the switch arms S S are moved to the left, as

indicated by the dotted lines, the switch arms being connected to theterminals on the switch 6, by the conductors 9 and 10 respectively, andthe brush R of the rheostat .is turned so that it contacts with theadjacent end of the rheostat R, as indicated by the dotted line. Themagnet G, is connected by a conductor 11, to the end of the rheostat,and to the contacts S and S on the switch S. The contact S is alsoconnected by a conductor 12, with a switch 8 on the motor board, andfrom this switch is a conductor 13, leading to the armature of the motorA, and to the contact plate let on the motor board, while this contactplate is connected by a conductor 16, to the end of the rheostat R, andthe shaft R of the rheostat is connected to contact S on the switch S bya conductor 17. The field-magnet coils in the present instance are shownin shunt relation to the armature coils, being connected by theconductor 15, to the conduc tors 9 and 10, respectively, through themotor board, the conductors 15, being shown as being connected to thebinding-posts 7, on the motor-board 7, and by connectors 7", which arerepresented just below the motor-board 7. The passage of the currentunderthese conditions will be readily understood and is indicated by thearrows, and it will be seen that as soon as the shaft D, is moved by thehand rope or otherwise, and the rheostat arm makes contact with therheostat, the circuit is closed through the motor, including theresistance of the rheostat R, while the circuit through the brake magnetG, is complete from the con tact S through the coils of the magnet G,brush R arm R and conductor 17, contact arm S and out by the wire 10.Thus at the instant of closing the circuit, there is the maximumresistance of the rheostat in the motor circuit, and practically acircuit of no resistance for the brake magnet, so thatthe greaterportion of the energy of the current will be utilized in operating thebrake mech- ICO anism to release the same, and as the shaft is turnedfurther and the rheostat brush sweeps over the rheostat, graduallycutting out the resistance from the motor circuit and including theresistance in the brake magnet circuit, it will finally result that thebrake magnet circuit will include the resistance of the rheostat, whilethe motor circuit will be practically free from said resistance. Underthese conditions I find that sufficient current will flow through thebrake magnet to maintain the brake in its released condition and nearlyall of the energy of the current will be used in operating the motor.

If now for any reason the strength of the current falls below a minimumof safety, or the circuit is interrupted, the brake magnet immediatelyreleases its armature and the brake is applied, stopping the motor.Further if any derangement occurs to the mechanical part of the elevatormechanism, the

automatic devices abovedescribed will operate toturn the shaft D and cutout the cir-' cnit of the motor and allow the brake to be applied, andwhen the elevator reaches its extreme position up or down, the automaticdevices heretofore described will also operate to cut out the circuit,stop the motor and apply the brake.

When for instance the reversing switch S, is moved to the position shownin Fig. 6, the

circuits will be substantially the same, and:

it will be seen that on the first movement of the switch and rheostatarm R, the current will flow through the conductor 17, rheostat arm R,brush R the conductor 11, brake magnet G, contact S and through theconnection to contact 8, and out through the return wire 10, while theresistance of the rheostat will be included in the motor circuit, and asbefore, as this resistance is gradually cut out of the motor circuit, itis included in the brake magnet circuit, and the arrangements and modeof operation are the same as before, except that the motor Will operatein the reverse direction.

It will thus be seen that in all instances on closing the circuit tostart the motor in either direction, the greater portion of the currentwill flow directly through the brake magnet and energize that to releasethe brake and permit the motor to operate, and as the current isadmitted to the motor by gradually cutting out the resistance of therheostat, this resistance is gradually included in'the circuit of thebrake magnet, so that the current may be utilized to the best advantage,and under all conditions any substantial weakening or interruption ofthe current, or any derangement of the mechanical devices, will operateto immediately apply the brake and stop the elevator mechanism, so thatthe proper repairs or adjustment may be made. It will further be noticedthat the movements of-the rheostat arm are controlled by the dash pot orother equivalent mechanism, so that the resistance shall not be out outof the motor circuit too rapidly, notwithstanding the too rapid movementof the shipper shaft and wheel, but that in stopping the motor, therheostat arm may be moved at any desired rate of speed to quickly cutout the circuit and apply the brake.

What I claim is'- l. The combination with the motor, rheostat and switchcontrolling the circuits of the motor, of a brake magnet included in thecircuit, the arrangement being such that as the circuit is closed tostart the motor a greater portion of the current shall flow through thebrake magnet to operate the same, substantially as described. 1

2. The combination with the motor, rheostat and switch controlling thecircuit of the motor, of a brake magnet connected to the switch andrheostat, and arranged so that as the circuit is closed to start themotor, the

rheostat shall be included in the circuit of.

the motor and a greater portion of the current shall pass through thebrake magnet, and as the resistance of the rheostat is cut out of themotor circuit, it shall be included in the brake magnet circuit,substantially as described.

3. The combination with the motor, rheoswitch and rheostat in shuntrelation to the brake magnet circuit, and means for controlling themovement of the rheostat brush, so that at starting the motor therheostat shall be included in the motor circuit, and as-it is cut out ofthe motor circuit it shall be included in the brake magnet circuit,substantially as described.

5. The combination with the motor, rheostat and reversing switchcontrolling the circuits of the motor, of a brake magnet circuitinterposed between the reversing switch and rheostat, and a dash potconnected to the rheostat brush for controlling its movements in cuttingout the resistance of therheostat in the motor circuit, substantially asdescribed.

6. The combination with an electric motor,

too

a reversing switch and rheostat controlling the circuit of the motor, ofa brake magnet included in a shunt circuit between the reversing switchand motor, substantially as described.

7. In an electric elevator apparatus, the combination with the motor,the brake mechanism therefor,a magnet in the circuit of the motor andcontrolling said brake mechanism, means for controlling the circuit ofthe motor and magnet from the elevator, and automatic mechanism foroperating said controlling means on derangement of the mechanicaldevices, substantially as described.

8. In an electric elevator apparatus, the combination with the motor,the brake, and the magnet in the circuit of the motor and controllingthe brake, of means controlling the circuit of the motor and brake, andautomatic devices controlling said means arranged to cut out the circuitand stop the motor as the elevator reaches its upper or lowermostposition, substantially as described.

9. In an electric elevator apparatus, the

combination with the motor, the brake and electro-magnet controlling thebrake, of a shaft controlling the circuit of the motor and lIO brakearranged to be operated from the elewill be cut out and the motorstopped as the elevator reaches its extreme position up or down,substantially as described.

10. In an electric elevator apparatus, the combination with the motor,the brake and a shaft controlling the circuit of the motor arranged tobe operated from the elevator cage, of a rotating screw shaft, a piniontraveling thereon, clutch devices secured to said shaft, and connectingmechanism between said pinion and the circuit controlling shaft, wherebythe shaft is operated to stop the motor, substantially as described.

11. In an electric elevator apparatus, the combination with the motor,the brake device, an electro magnet controlling the brake, of a shaftcontrolling the circuit of the motor and brake, a rotating shaftconnected to the elevating drums, a traveling pinion on said shaft,clutch mechanism also mounted on said shaft, a pinion provided with aclutch device driven by said shaft, connections between said travelingpinion and clutch device with the circuit controlling shaft and safetyappliances arranged beneath the drums to operate the clutch, wherebywhen the rope becomes slack or the elevator reaches its upper orlowermost position, the circuit controlling shaft will be automaticallyoperated to cut out the circuit of the motor, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

FRANCIS B. PERKINS.

lVitnesses:

WILFRED BoLsTER, J AMES A. BAILEY, J r.

